First I get carried away with "zeros," and now you're goin' all fractal on us. Boy, would my work day be easier if I could veneer something and have it add virtually no dimension. How "virtual" we talkin'?

If you're household is already committed to the iTunes ecosystem, iPad 2 is the logical choice, especially if you have quite a few purchases.

I'm pretty committed to the Apple ecosystem w/ several Macs at home, work, iphone 3g/4 and iPad 2. However, since I love 'toys' I'm on the pre-order w/ the Kindle Fire. For the price of 2, you still couldn't afford an iPad. We have a Kindle 2 and love it. I've used it for the daily local paper, the kids use it for books and comics, the wife uses it, etc. It's great for travel and IMHO, the iPad 2 doesn't compare as strictly a reading device. That being said, it would be nice to have a few more features, like color, to step up the Kindle. I don't need another iPad but at $200, the Fire seems like a fairly decent option. It runs Android and will have a lot of Amazon content there, which works out well since we're Amazon Prime subscribers.

I hate how much Apple software is always running in the background on my computer just for the times that my kids happen to plug in their iPods.

Have you measured the impact these three processes have on your computer when iTunes isn't running or when no Apple device is connected?

The only derogatory terms were describing me. LOL.

As for the apps, I don't care if they are just sitting idle, it is what they are sitting idle waiting for... For someone to plug in their Apple product and then launch the stinking iTunes store. Needless to say, I've disabled the launching of anything, but those little programs are still sitting.... waiting... stalking.... sending my biometrics back to Apple HQ... taking random DNA samples through my mouse and keyboard... MAKING A CLONE OF ME AS WE SPEAK!!! AAAARRAARHRHHRHGGGG! ..Oh Crap! What if I am the clone.

Seriously though, I try to keep my system from getting bogged down by "helper" apps regardless of who they are from or what hardware they are there for.

So, does anyone know if there is a test to find out if I am a clone? Maybe some sort of eye test like in the Sixth Day movie...

I have been playing around getting to know a Sammy 10.1 for about a week now. Setting it up for my mom. Stellar device! The only issue I have ran into so far is getting either of my pc's which run xp and vista to recognize the tablet. On the tablet it will still show it is connected and that the battery is charging but the computer doesn't show the device. I think I might have to install the Samsung Kies program because downloading the driver alone didn't work. It also kills me that I have to buy a USB adapter so she can use SD cards with it. An option which should have been included on this device and would have not compromised the slick form factor. My only real issue with this device is the non-friendly and lack of connectivity out of the box.

I have been also reading up on the "oil slick" called newton rings on some of the tablets. It is due to insufficient glue adhesion between the screens. A manufacturing fault. The good thing is this problems occurs in the first few weeks of operation so you can just return it for a full refund. Shouldn't be a problem any more if you buy one now.

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I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.